Imperial Husband Chapter 14

"You are seeking death."

Enraged and ashamed, Ying Zijun quickly walked towards Li Jin's direction, intending to teach Li Jin a lesson.

"Fifth Prince, you must not act impulsively. This person's ability to appear in Xiyu Palace indicates his status is certainly not simple." Lan Mingzhou, another companion of Ying Zijun, stepped forward to block Ying Zijun.

"Enough talk, get out of my way. I am a prince, how could his status be more noble than mine?"

Ying Zijun was furious and no longer listened to any persuasion. He raised his foot and kicked Lan Mingzhou away, then continued walking towards Li Jin.

"Fifth Brother, what he says is correct. In this matter, you were indeed in the wrong first." Ying Ziqi suddenly emerged from the side—just in time, he positioned himself to block Ying Zijun and prevent him from getting close to Li Jin.

"We pay our respects to the Third Prince."

Lan Mingzhou and the other companions immediately saluted Ying Ziqi.

"Why are you here?"

Ying Zijun's face darkened.

Unlike the neglected Ying Yuan, Ying Ziqi was currently deeply favored by Ying Zhengjing and was not someone Ying Zijun could casually hit or scold. Ying Zijun had no choice but to suppress his anger.

Ying Ziqi responded with a smile, "I just happened to be passing by."

"What a coincidence, Third Brother." Ying Zijun gritted his teeth as he uttered the words 'Third Brother', signaling Ying Ziqi not to interfere.

Pretending not to understand, Ying Ziqi said coldly, "Fifth Brother, tomorrow Father Emperor will come to inspect us. If he sees Seventh Brother covered in injuries, you would inevitably..."

"Enough." Ying Zijun interrupted Ying Ziqi, then glared fiercely at Li Jin before leaving with his companions. "Consider yourself lucky this time."

Li Jin took a step forward, clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Third Prince, for saving me."

I never thought I would run into you so soon.

Third Prince Ying Ziqi, in his previous life, Li Jin had devoted all his efforts to assist him, but in the end, because Ying Ziqi feared Li Jin's exceptional talent and was afraid Li Jin might pledge allegiance to others, he turned around and had Li Jin killed.

Ying Ziqi said in a slightly apologetic tone, "Fifth Brother is young, his actions are inevitably somewhat rash. Please do not take it to heart."

"Yes."

Li Jin nodded faintly.

"By the way, you look unfamiliar. I wonder..."

"His Majesty the Empress has arrived."

The arrival of Gu Rushuang interrupted Ying Ziqi's unfinished question.

Li Jin and Ying Ziqi simultaneously saluted and said, "We pay our respects to His Majesty the Empress (Mother Empress)."

"Rise." Gu Rushuang responded coldly, then looked at Ying Ziqi. "At this hour, the Third Prince should already be at the Grand Tutor's place. Why are you here?"

"Replying to Mother Empress, your son..."

Ying Ziqi informed Gu Rushuang about what had just happened.

Ying Ziqi's account was clever, using polished language to continuously magnify the image of himself helping Li Jin and Ying Yuan. If Ying Zhengjing heard it, he would surely praise him greatly.

Unfortunately, the one before Ying Ziqi was Gu Rushuang.

After listening, Gu Rushuang nodded and said, "Hmm, since the matter is resolved, you should go to the Grand Tutor's place. Do not keep the Grand Tutor waiting. As for the reason for your lateness, I will have Zhiqiu go with you to inform the Grand Tutor."

"Thank you, Mother Empress."

Ying Ziqi knew when to stop and left together with Zhiqiu.

After seeing Ying Ziqi leave, Gu Rushuang turned his gaze to the unconscious Ying Yuan and instructed, "Attendants, take the Seventh Prince back to his bedchamber, then summon the imperial physician to examine him."

"Yes."

The other maidservants attending Gu Rushuang received the order and carefully carried Ying Yuan away from the place.

"Come inside."

After saying this, Gu Rushuang dismissed the surrounding palace personnel and walked alone into the place where Li Jin had just been.

Li Jin nodded and followed Gu Rushuang inside.

On the way to the Grand Tutor's place, Ying Ziqi suddenly asked, "Zhiqiu, who was that child just now?"

"Replying to the Third Prince, he is Li Jin, the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Dingbei personally appointed by His Majesty today." The matter of Li Jin being designated as an heir would spread sooner or later, so Zhiqiu truthfully told Ying Ziqi.

Heir Apparent of the Prince of Dingbei... Li Jin...

Ying Ziqi silently repeated these words, a sharp light flashing quickly deep within his eyes.